32nd Ward Newsletter February 20, 2026

Dear John,

This week, our nation lost a great leader of the Civil Rights Movement. The Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., died this week in Chicago at the age of 84. 

A Baptist minister and two-time presidential candidate he marched alongside civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., and, as King's protege, took up the civil rights cause following MLK's assassination.

The Jackson family made the following statement earlier this week "Reverend Jackson remained steadfast in his mission to pave the way for the next generation of freedom fighters. He was a man of the people, welcomed in even the most rural areas, whether serving the impoverished or bringing his masterful guidance to hostage negotiations with world leaders. He was a mentor, a voice for the voiceless, and a symbol of resilience. [His] passing marks the end of an era, but his vision of justice, equality, and unity will live on through the countless lives he touched."

I had numerous conversations with Reverend Jackson over my time as Alderman and each conversation was a learning experience. We spoke about different issues affecting people of color in Chicago and throughout our region, and discussed ways to improve our City in so many different ways. We honor Reverend Jackson for what he spoke to and what his actions were as he and many others have tried to reshape our country's approach to equity from the beginning of the Civil Rights movement.

The Foundry Park project has moved forward after a vote in the City Council. You can read more about it at these links, and we will keep you informed as each phase of the project moves ahead. The south end of the former Lincoln Yards has also changed hands and while no projects have been announced, we will keep you apprised via the newsletter and neighborhood organizations as new plans emerge.

Have a good weekend.

Alderman Scott Waguespack

Burley School Spring Fling – March 6

Friends of Burley invites the community to support its annual Spring Fling fundraiser, an adults-only evening benefiting Burley Elementary School’s K–8 programs.

Community members can participate in several ways:


• Purchase a Spread Your Roots Vacation Raffle ticket (only 100 available at $100 each — no need to be present to win)

• Sponsor a Burley teacher or staff member to attend the event

• Make a direct donation to support student programs


All proceeds fund vital school initiatives including arts programming, technology, and critical staff support. Learn more or contribute here.

February CAPS Meetings

14th Police District

1434- February 25, 6pm

Bucktown/Wicker Park Library

1701 N. Milwaukee

caps.014district@chicagopolice.org

14th District Twitter

14th District CAPS- 312-744-1261

19th Police District-

1931- February 24, 6pm

Lathrop Advancement Center (new location)

2820 N. Leavitt

1932- February 24, 7pm

Lathrop Advancement Center (new location)

2820 N. Leavitt

caps.019district@chicagopolice.org

19th District Twitter

19th District CAPS- 312-744-0064

Beat 1921 Meeting Recap (Damen/Belmont/Chicago River/Irving)/

Underbar and Bluelight Update-

There were no robberies in this beat in the past two month period. There was one burglary to a garage whose door had been left open; as the police say always make sure all doors and windows are locked. One resident asked to explain the difference between a robbery, theft, and burglary- a theft is when something is taken from you without force (ex- pickpocketing, someone taking your phone off of the table, etc); a robbery is where someone takes something from you and uses force or the threat of force; aggravated is with a weapon, simple is without; a burglary is to a property (ex- you come home and find things in your house missing).

Another resident warned neighbors about a possible funeral/tap to pay scam in the area. This is a scam where people ask others to make tap-to-pay donations for an event such as a loved one’s funeral, a fundraiser, etc, asking for a low amount, but then charging them large amounts, sometimes over a thousand dollars, once they get the victim’s phone.  A reminder to never use tap to pay to donate money to someone you don’t know, and never hand your phone over to someone you don’t know. Legitimate organizations will not refuse cash and will be able to refer you to a website to donate after you do research. If you see anyone engaging in this scam, please call 911 and give a description of the offenders and location to the police.

There was an incident where a car had been stolen in the Loop and then tracked to the 3200 block of Damen. A person was then found unresponsive on the floor of the car. 911 was called, and the person taken to the hospital, but later died. The car was taken in for investigative purposes.

The main topic of the night was a shooting that happened outside of Underbar on Western. A person was shot in the leg after an argument that originated inside the Underbar; Underbar has provided video footage to the police. The owner of Underbar was in attendance at the CAPS meeting and the bar has been closed since the incident. CPD issued a special attention for the area, have done roll calls, and the beat car has been kept in the beat. No summary closure for Underbar was applied because the police indicated the owners cooperated and had also voluntarily closed the business. The Dept of Business Affairs and Consumer Protect and the Law Dept are also investigating this case.

Underbar is currently under contract for sale. If the sale is made, the new owner of Underbar plans to change the name and identity of the bar. Our office, along with the 19th Police District, met with the potential new owner to discuss the history and the resident concerns involving the Underbar and Bluelight.

We suggested that they voluntarily give up their late night liquor license. We have also asked that they work with us and neighbors for a full plan of operation as well as discussed best practices for security and being a good neighbor. At this point, the potential owners would close the bar for remodeling and then reopen under a different name and concept. Their goal would be to cater to bar industry and later shift workers. A new security plan with more robust electronic moniitoring would be required along with several other elements of a plan of operation.

Audience members asked about getting cameras on the interior streets. POD cameras are used on main streets; Roscoe Village neighbors said they could look into doing something like this (they already do with businesses on Roscoe), but there is a cost associated with it.

Parking by bar patrons has been a concern. Finance officers have been and will continue to ticket the area; Bluelight says they tell people not to park on the side streets.

Beat 1922 Meeting Recap (Damen/Belmont/Southport/Irving)-

The only real increase is in the theft of airbags from Honda Civics. Otherwise, there has only been 1 burglary and 1 robbery in the past 2 month period for this beat.

Conversation with the Commander

Water Main Project Update 2/20/26

Dickens, Damen to Avondale

Project Overview:

Start Date: February 20th, 2026

Anticipated Completion: June 26th, 2026

Normal Working Hours: M-F 7:00am - 3:30pm

Both crews will be on Dickens

Monday-Friday (2/23/26 - 2/27/26) - Saw cutting and installing water main on Dickens

Water Service Interruptions:

No scheduled water main shutdown unless if there is any emergency. DWM will provide advance notice before any service interruptions.

Traffic & Parking Impacts: 

No parking will be allowed within the active work zone during construction hours.

In addition to contacting our office with questions, residents can look for a crew member on the street wearing a white hard hat to have questions answered immediately. 

Residents should also be on the lookout for a flyer at your door setting a community meeting with the Water Dept about this project so that you can bring your questions to those in charge of this project.

Fletcher Water Main Project Update 2/20/26

There are still five private drains that need to be replaced for this project. Other than these, restoration of the street, sidewalks, and parkways will be starting. The street will have a concrete cap until the asphalt plants open in the spring.

Alley North of Milwaukee from Oakley to Leavitt 

Sewer Lining Project

This project includes cleaning the sewers and the installation of CIPP (Cure in place pipe). The installation of CIPP consists of lining the existing sewers and generally does not require excavation except when repairs are required prior to lining of the sewer main, catch basin lateral connections, catch basin structures, or manhole structures.

Typical work includes the following:

•  Main sewer cleaning and televising

•  Catch Basin cleaning, televising, and lining of the pipe connections to the main sewer

•  Catch Basin and Sewer Manhole structures lining

•  Main Sewer Lining immediately followed by the reinstatement of house drains services and catch basin pipe connections

•  The lined sewer will be televised to ensure that the work was done properly

Please note, the work is performed in staggered stages; therefore workers will not be on-site every day for the extended period described. As crews begin lining the main sewers, residents will be provided with a letter/flyer with notification of the work for each project location. No parking signs will be posted in the immediate area on a workday prior to the start of any scheduled work. The completion date is estimated to be April 12, 2026. Garbage and recycling pick up should not be impacted by this project.

Metropolitan Schoolhouse’s Special Book Fair

and Author Visit

Location: Metropolitan Schoolhouse, 2464 N Clybourn

Date & Time: March 3rd- Doors open at 6:15 PM, event ends at 7:30 PM

Special Guest: Author Liesl Shurtliff, known for Rump, Grump, Jack, Red, and The Castaways series. She will give a short presentation, then sell and autograph her books.  Her website can be found here: https://lieslshurtliff.com


• Book Fair: cash or credit card
• Author’s books: Zelle, Venmo, or cash

Help Raise Funds for Pulaski International School!

The Saber Soirée on February 28, 2026 is Pulaski International School's biggest fundraiser of the year. Everyone is invited to celebrate our amazing school community while making a difference. 

Click here to purchase tickets or make a donation. 

Election Dates to Keep in Mind

Vote By Mail Reminder

The United States Postal Service cannot guarantee your Vote By Mail return ballot envelopes will be postmarked the same day that you mailed it. Any ballot postmarked after Election Day on March 17 cannot be accepted. USPS recommends voters take additional precautions and mail their completed Vote By Mail Ballot at least one week (March 10) before Election Day.

Returning your ballot close to Election Day (March 17)? You have options!

• Drop your ballot off into any of 52 Secure Drop Boxes located at all Early Voting sites in Chicago – even on Election Day!
• Starting February 12 at the New Voting Supersite at 137 S. State St.
• Starting March 2 at all 50 Ward Early Voting Sites across the city
• Go to the post office counter and request a manual postmark
• Deliver your ballot directly to 69 W. Washington St. – either at the First-Floor lobby drop box or in the 6th Floor office

All qualified ballots properly postmarked by Election Day (March 17) and received up to 14 days after (March 31) will be processed and counted for the 2026 Primary Election. The Chicago Board of Elections will send you an email when it receives your ballot return envelope, and again when your ballot has been processed and counted.

Please Note: Precinct polling places on Election Day do not have drop boxes. Precinct election judges cannot accept Vote By Mail ballots, and VBM ballots returned at precinct polling places will not be processed. Voters instead can use any of 51 Vote Centers open on Election Day to return their Vote By Mail ballot, including the new downtown voting Supersite at 137 S. State St.

Don’t risk a late postmark on your ballot – take any of the steps above to make sure your vote counts!

For more information, click here.

Property Tax Appeal- North Chicago Township

Beginning January 20, 2026, you may file an appeal of your property assessment through the Cook County Board of Review.

Property Tax Appeal Resources 

1.) Click to access the Step by Step Guide to File an Appeal

2.) For information on filing a Property Tax Appeal online or by mail, visit the Board of Review website, appeals.cookcountyboardofreview.com 

The Deadline for filing a Property Tax Appeal is February 18, 2026.

The Deadline to submit Additional Evidence is February 28, 2026.

First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Program

Click here for more information.

Reuse & Recycling Pop-Up

February 28 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Join us for our first Reuse & Recycling Pop-Up of 2026 at the Chicago Waldorf School!

Drop off common household items for reuse, repurposing or specialty recycling with:

• Reduce Waste Chicago
• Cradles to Crayons: Clothing and shoes of all sizes/ages/genders and condition. Unwearable items will be recycled.
• Share Our Spare: Baby essentials, hygiene and feeding supplies, small and large gear.
• Cook County Sheriff’s Office: Unwanted or expired, human or pet, prescription drugs. Pills only. No liquid or sharps.

Click the flyer above for more information including what is accepted.

Click here for details and tickets!

Get your ticket today!

WPB Winter Olympics

February 6-22 @ Various Bars & Restaurants around WPB

Celebrate the spirit of the Winter Olympics with a neighborhood-wide competition that turns your favorite local bars into Olympic “venues”! Grab your friends, form a team, or compete solo as you tour participating bars, complete exciting challenges, and earn stamps toward a grand-prize entry.

Stay tuned for more details at www.wickerparkbucktown.com! 

Committee on Immigrant & Refugee Rights

Upcoming Events

City News

• A Month Late, First Installment of 2025 Cook County Property Tax Bills to Be Due April 1
• 2026 Primary Election Voter Guide
• Johnson Wins Veto Fight Over Intoxicating Hemp Ban
• Zoning Committee Stalemate Continues Under Mayor Brandon Johnson, Along With Other Vacancies
• City Council Deadlocks Again on Zoning Chair
• Foundry Park Development at Former Lincoln Yards Site Approved by City Council
• Cook County’s Top Prosecutor Unveils Policy Change Aimed at Charging ICE Agents for Criminal Misconduct
• City Animal Shelter Needs New Chief Amid ‘Concerning’ Conditions, Alderpeople and Volunteers Say
• 23 Things to Do in Chicago This Weekend: Winter Jazz Fair, Folk Festival, and African Culture Day

Alderman Scott Waguespack

2657 North Clybourn

Chicago, IL 60614

(773) 248-1330

info@ward32.org